We have a blood drive at NHBC this month. I've always been fascinated with that process. I can give a pint of blood, which I won't miss, which then has the possibility of saving three lives. Exactly how that works escapes me – something about the different components of my blood being used to treat different situations. Personally, I tried to forget my biology class after we dissected some pickled frogs. Fortunately, some people were listening during biology, and they use their knowledge to help folks who are sick. All I have to do is sit back and fill a plastic bag, and I get free cookies and juice!
As believers we have an even more extraordinary opportunity. All we have to do is share our story, what Jesus has done for us. That simple act, a testimony for Christ multiplied through God's power, can bring eternal life to the people you love. No pickled frogs necessary!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday, December 12, 2011
Time for Christmas
I heard of one woman who was invited to join a Baptist church. Her friend told her about a Sunday School fellowship she could attend, in addition to choir practice, missions meeting, covered dish supper, and a discipleship class. The woman shook her head and replied, “I would love to be a Baptist, but I'm just not physically able!”
Sometimes I feel that way about Christmas. Between the shopping, the decorations, the parties, and the food, it feels a little more like a marathon than a celebration. Then I remember the reason we celebrate, that God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son. Don't let the busy-ness of the season rob you from the joy of celebrating the Savior. We have reason to sing!
Psalm 96:2 (NIV)
Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Sometimes I feel that way about Christmas. Between the shopping, the decorations, the parties, and the food, it feels a little more like a marathon than a celebration. Then I remember the reason we celebrate, that God so loved the world, he sent his only begotten Son. Don't let the busy-ness of the season rob you from the joy of celebrating the Savior. We have reason to sing!
Psalm 96:2 (NIV)
Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.
Monday, November 14, 2011
Good Eyesight
I was reminded recently of the importance of good eyesight. I normally wear contacts which my ophthalmologist has formulated to allow me to see both things far away and read items close at hand. Somehow, I got a piece of dust under one of the contacts, creating a condition I can only describe as an icepick in the eye. If you have contacts, you know what I mean. If you don't, believe me, you don't know what I mean.
Because of the icepick in my eye, I was forced to wear my glasses for a day. I only bought single vision glasses (primarily because I am cheap) so I could see things far away clearly. Up close, things were in a complete fog. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a great problem, but when you are scheduled to preach in fifteen minutes, it's an issue. The verses in my bible looked like one giant ink smudge.
Fortunately I remembered – we have a copier that enlarges. Two minutes later, I had scriptures Mr. Magoo could read. The experience taught me an important lesson: we need to be the enlarging copier for our friends and neighbors. They can't see the extraordinary promises of God's word. We need to be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to use us like enlarging copiers, making God's promises visible to the world around us through our lives. They've got ice picks in their eyes, too.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Because of the icepick in my eye, I was forced to wear my glasses for a day. I only bought single vision glasses (primarily because I am cheap) so I could see things far away clearly. Up close, things were in a complete fog. In the grand scheme of things, that's not a great problem, but when you are scheduled to preach in fifteen minutes, it's an issue. The verses in my bible looked like one giant ink smudge.
Fortunately I remembered – we have a copier that enlarges. Two minutes later, I had scriptures Mr. Magoo could read. The experience taught me an important lesson: we need to be the enlarging copier for our friends and neighbors. They can't see the extraordinary promises of God's word. We need to be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to use us like enlarging copiers, making God's promises visible to the world around us through our lives. They've got ice picks in their eyes, too.
Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Service Call
This week, my family had our gas furnace serviced for the winter. Our repairman came out and cleaned the dust off the burners, made sure the filter was clean, and checked everything out so that we would be ready for cold weather. I was just glad to be ready not to blow up the house. Being warm is nice, too.
We need those service calls in life, too. It's one of the reasons I'm glad to have close Christian friends to keep me grounded in the Word of God. They can let me know when things are getting a little dusty. The weather will surely come; we all face those challenging times of life. Better to be ready now than cold then.
Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV)
24 [Jesus said] Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
We need those service calls in life, too. It's one of the reasons I'm glad to have close Christian friends to keep me grounded in the Word of God. They can let me know when things are getting a little dusty. The weather will surely come; we all face those challenging times of life. Better to be ready now than cold then.
Matthew 7:24-25 (NIV)
24 [Jesus said] Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.
Monday, September 12, 2011
Water the Grass
It has been feast or famine with my yard this year. We had so much rain during the spring, it was hard to mow because of the mud, then the rain stopped in July and my yard has begun to resemble the Sahara. One area, especially, where I had seeded new grass last year looked so wonderful during the spring, now looks like the infield where I played Little League. I have an urge to steal second base every time I walk out on our back porch.
Water is an essential ingredient for grass to grow. We need to realize the same thing about studying God's word and growth in our spiritual life. Too often, we fall into a feast or famine routine. We read the scripture diligently for a time, then begin to miss a day here and there and suddenly, we are in the spiritual Sahara. Water the grass. Find time to read God's Word daily. Your neighbors will thank you.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Water is an essential ingredient for grass to grow. We need to realize the same thing about studying God's word and growth in our spiritual life. Too often, we fall into a feast or famine routine. We read the scripture diligently for a time, then begin to miss a day here and there and suddenly, we are in the spiritual Sahara. Water the grass. Find time to read God's Word daily. Your neighbors will thank you.
2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.
Monday, August 8, 2011
New Calendar
I recently had to update my calendar. My old calendar was on software that is no longer compatible with my computer, so I had to make a change. That meant typing in each event for the coming year. Software does simplify that task, to an extent, but I still had to review each day one by one. That's always a humbling project. Some days were full to overflowing; other days are waiting for new adventures to present themselves.
Jesus knew what he would be doing everyday. Mary and Joseph learned that truth when, after searching for the young Jesus after a trip to Jerusalem, they found him at the temple. Jesus told them:
Luke 2:49
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
The scripture says that at the time, Mary and Joseph didn't know what Jesus meant, but all they had to do was look at his calendar. Jesus' Day-timer would have said the same thing each day - “Being about my father's business.” I could eliminate much clutter from my life if I would learn this same truth and apply it to my life. And my calendar.
Jesus knew what he would be doing everyday. Mary and Joseph learned that truth when, after searching for the young Jesus after a trip to Jerusalem, they found him at the temple. Jesus told them:
Luke 2:49
“Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?”
The scripture says that at the time, Mary and Joseph didn't know what Jesus meant, but all they had to do was look at his calendar. Jesus' Day-timer would have said the same thing each day - “Being about my father's business.” I could eliminate much clutter from my life if I would learn this same truth and apply it to my life. And my calendar.
Monday, July 11, 2011
Missions R Us
Marsha and I passed by the Toy's R Us store a few days ago and had one of those melancholy moments of midlife. We realized it had been years since we had made the journey down those hallowed aisles. Years ago we started buying diapers and formula there – at that time they had the cheapest in town, if you bought in bulk. And we needed bulk.
Then there were the years of toys, beginning on the preschool aisle and working our way through to the “big kid” toys. I liked all of them, especially when the had the occasional sample out to try. My daughters used to have to drag me out of the store. “Mom, would you tell dad to stop playing with everything. We are ready to go home!”
Then suddenly we stopped going. The girls didn't pester us for the latest toy, I stopped looking for toy coupons in the Sunday paper, and the mall became a more likely destination. To be honest, I didn't notice. We just moved on in our life.
Sometimes that happens with missions. We hear the story of a missionary or mission and get excited about the possibilities. We give, we pray, we go. . . and suddenly we don't. It doesn't happen all at once. Other activities begin to call us away and suddenly weeks go by we don't think about missions at all.
That can't happen. We are a mission people. It is our calling. Missions R Us. Pray that we will always be faithful to our Lord's command:
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Then there were the years of toys, beginning on the preschool aisle and working our way through to the “big kid” toys. I liked all of them, especially when the had the occasional sample out to try. My daughters used to have to drag me out of the store. “Mom, would you tell dad to stop playing with everything. We are ready to go home!”
Then suddenly we stopped going. The girls didn't pester us for the latest toy, I stopped looking for toy coupons in the Sunday paper, and the mall became a more likely destination. To be honest, I didn't notice. We just moved on in our life.
Sometimes that happens with missions. We hear the story of a missionary or mission and get excited about the possibilities. We give, we pray, we go. . . and suddenly we don't. It doesn't happen all at once. Other activities begin to call us away and suddenly weeks go by we don't think about missions at all.
That can't happen. We are a mission people. It is our calling. Missions R Us. Pray that we will always be faithful to our Lord's command:
Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
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